Dorm floor promotes the positive

Creating a positive environment that cuts down on the prevalence of alcohol in college is one goal of the Leadership Lifestyles Floor (LLF) in University Hall. The brainchild of MELISSA SAGE-BOLLENBACH ’94 MA ’97, director of wellness, and SARA RAY O’SHEA ’04 MA ’07, director of the Lewis J. Burger Center for Leadership and Community Service, the LLF welcomed its second group of residents in August 2008 after showing marked initial success.

HANNAH ANTONACCI ’12 was drawn to sign up for the floor because she thought there would be other female students who were similarly dedicated and motivated. “We all get along really well. If there is a problem, it is handled constructively,” she notes.

O’Shea and Sage-Bollenbach looked back to their own freshman experience as they created the floor. “I remember coming as a freshman, and most of the women on my floor did not have the same values and background that I did,” says O’Shea. The LLF, located on the fourth floor of U-Hall, gives students a good avenue to meet others who are committed to making healthy choices, developing leadership skills, and participating in service projects.

While themed living is not new, Bradley’s LLF has two added components. Research is ongoing to determine whether living on a leadership floor impacts choices that students make about alcohol. In 2007–08, living on the floor seemed to have been a positive influence.

In addition to conducting the research, O’Shea teaches a one-hour course, ELH 381 The Leading Edge. An extension of EHS 120 (the freshman experience course), it focuses on leadership development. “It helps set the tone for a college career and what is expected of students as leaders. I want to make a deeper connection between social and academic life,” says O’Shea, noting that only residents of the floor are eligible to enroll in the course, which counts toward a minor in leadership studies.

The LLF has been a dream of the two Bradley program directors ever since O’Shea was a student at Bradley, and Sage-Bollenbach was her adviser. When a small grant opportunity arose, Nathan Thomas, executive director of residential life and leadership, gave the green light for the floor. “There’s a big push for environmental change and cultural changes [in college], but no one is looking at where students are living and being. We want to create an environment that gives students the tools to stand up and say alcohol isn’t part of what I want my college experience to be,” says Sage-Bollenbach.

Students learn about the floor on campus tours and through mailings sent after they commit to Bradley. Freshmen may request to live on the LLF, and so far, space has been available for the 40 or so who wanted to participate both years. Many students who lived on the floor last year are living in blocks of rooms in other dorms. The current assistant residence hall adviser (ARA) for this year’s floor lived there last year.

Some male students have expressed interest in living on a LLF, and both women hope to eventually see an entire residence hall focused on leadership and service.

Fitzgerald addresses grads

In the keynote address at Bradley’s mid-year commencement, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald spoke about the importance of public service. Fitzgerald was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. Just 11 days earlier, his office had arrested Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich for allegedly trying to sell President-elect Obama’s U.S. Senate seat. Previously, Fitzgerald was Special Counsel in an investigation that led to the indictment and conviction of Lewis “Scooter” Libby. He also supervised Operation Safe Road, the corruption investigation that led to the conviction of 75 people, including former Illinois Gov. George Ryan.

Also speaking at the morning ceremony were President Joanne Glasser and JULIUS COLLINS JR. ’08. Formerly held at Robertson Memorial Field House, the December 20 commencement was the first mid-year ceremony staged at the Peoria Civic Center. More than 225 bachelor’s degrees were awarded in December, and 122 students received master’s degrees. Visit Web Extras to view a slideshow and video.

BU International Print and Drawing Exhibition

“A Tornado Watch,” by Cameron University professor of art Katherine Liontas-Warren of Lawton, Okla., is among the 126 artworks included in the 32nd Bradley International Print and Drawing Exhibition. An open biennial competition, the exhibition runs March 6 through April 16. The exhibition showcases a selection of art by 120 artists from the United States and Canada.

Lynwood Kreneck, the exhibition’s juror, narrowed the field from about 600 pieces. Kreneck is the founder and director of Colorprint USA, a national print exhibition established in 1969, and has been a visiting artist at more than 80 colleges and universities. He received the Lifetime Achievement for Excellence in Teaching Printmaking award at the Southern Graphics Conference in Madison, Wis., in 2006.

The exhibition is the second-longest-running juried print and drawing competition in the nation. Visit Web Extras to see selected works produced by Bradley alumni.